Mukden Palace (Shenyang Imperial Palace)
沈阳故宫
The imperial palace built by Nurhaci and Hong Taiji before the Qing dynasty moved into China proper, blending Manchu, Han and Mongol styles. The Hall of Great Administration and the Ten Pavilions are part of one of the only two surviving imperial palace complexes in China.
Mukden Palace is located on Shenyang Road in Shenhe District. Construction began in 1625 (the 10th year of the Tianming reign of the Later Jin). It was built as the capital palace by Nurhaci and Hong Taiji. After the Qing moved its capital to Beijing, it became the Shengjing Detached Palace. It covers about 60,000 square meters and has 114 buildings. In 2004 it was added to the World Heritage List as an extension of the 'Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,' and it is one of the only two surviving imperial palace complexes in China. The palace has three sections. The east section holds Nurhaci-era structures: the Hall of Great Administration, an octagonal hall with double eaves, and the Ten Pavilions, ten pavilions arranged in a 'bā' (eight) formation on either side. They mirror the tent-hall system of the Manchu Eight Banners and are the most distinctive part of Mukden Palace. The central section holds Hong Taiji-era structures: Da Qing Gate, Chongzheng Hall (where Hong Taiji handled state affairs and changed the dynastic name to 'Great Qing'), Phoenix Tower (the tallest building in Mukden at the time), and the rear palace, including Qingning Palace. The rear palace is built on a raised platform with a 'high palace, low hall' layout, the reverse of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Qingning Palace's shamanic ritual facilities and its chimney reflect features of Manchu houses. The west section contains Wenyuan Pavilion, added in the Qianlong era to house the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, and a theater stage. Admission is about 50 yuan (about ¥50). Visitors must book in advance with real-name registration through the official WeChat account of the Shenyang Imperial Palace Museum, as holiday tickets often sell out. Opening hours are 08:30 to 17:30 in peak season (April to October) and 09:00 to 16:30 in the off season. The palace is closed on Monday mornings except in peak season. For a good visit, enter through Da Qing Gate and tour the central, east and west sections in order, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. In peak season there are daily Qing court performances, such as the 'Emperor's Procession.' Many costume rental shops around the palace charge about 100 to 300 yuan, and dressing in Qing costume for photos in front of the Hall of Great Administration is a popular activity. Getting there: it is about a 10-minute walk from Zhongjie station on Metro Line 1. Notes: most halls are not open for entry, so view them through the doors. In winter the ground can be icy, so watch your footing.
Opening hours
Peak season 08:30–17:30; off-season 09:00–16:30 (closed Monday mornings except in peak season)
Nearby sights
- Liu Laogen Grand Stage
- Marshal Zhang's Mansion
- Zhongjie Pedestrian Street
- Ci'en Temple (Shenyang)
- Xiaoheyan Morning Market
- Youth Park & Liaoning TV Tower
- Shisheng Temple (Huang Temple)
- North Pagoda & Falun Temple